Secret Keepers

Chapter 28

A few days passed and we seemed to be living in the castle with no one knowing about us. I saw a couple servants walking around, but I hadn't seen a king or a queen or even a hint of any noble blood anywhere. But I did get a surprise on the fourth day we were there.

I was walking down the hallway to my favorite parlor when I heard the guys all talking in the same room. I paused and glanced over, sneaking quietly towards the cracked door. It had been ages since they'd all had some time together. They were usually all holed up in their own rooms, being quiet and antisocial.

"Cutter that one isn't yours. That's mine."

"Oh. Sorry. It's been a long time since we've seen these. I'm surprised they still fit. I guess we never gained much weight did we?"

"Well we didn't. Can't say the same for Rage."

"Hey!"

A small fight could be heard and then the laughter resumed. As quietly as I could, I leaned around the door and peeked in. I didn't regret it. All six of them were changing shirts and putting on black leather vests. My lip slid between my teeth and I had to close my eyes and remind myself wasn't single anymore. Of all the men I'd ever seen in my life, these were the six most beautiful and sexy.

Cutter slid on a long sleeve shirt and then put on the vest. He chuckled and turned in the mirror. "Good as new. It's like we just got them again."

Runner, standing off to the side, stared at his vest with very distant sad eyes. "I don't see where the positive memories are."

Tracker was holding his to the side and then he pulled it on over his shirt as well. "There aren't that many positive memories of the trade, but I like to look at these as when I met all of you guys. I'd be pretty bored if I'd never done this."

Unlike the others, Tracker's vest was trimmed with gold and had a purple lining on the inside. Everything he owned was much more fine and expensive than the others. But he seemed to try to ignore it. Cutter observed himself in the mirror and he smiled, puffing up his chest to make himself look tougher. "I think I'll go show off to Shadow. She likes my build."

Tracker snorted at him. "And you like hers even more."

Instead of getting mad, Cutter smiled and nodded as he observed his stubble in the mirror. "Of course. What man doesn't love it when his girl has a good set on her?"

The guys all nodded, even Runner who seemed to smirk off to the side. I drew away from the door and ran back to me and Cutter's room. I walked in and my blush was raging. I had no idea my figure was so attractive. I'd always thought Cutter liked my face or my sense of humor, but apparently I had another trait he liked. Curves. I looked at must in a full body mirror to the side and I turned, observing my thin waist and broad hips. I'd stopped looking at myself a lot when I turned twelve. Acne and puberty made me lose faith in what I looked like and so I quit hoping for beauty. But it seemed as though I'd finally got into the shape I was meant to have.

"Enjoying that mirror, Shadow?"

I jumped and whirled around to see Cutter leaning on the door, looking dashing in that vest. "Wow. I like your vest. It accentuates your build."

I saw a glimmer of joy explode in his eyes when he realized I did like his body. He shrugged and walked over to me, taking my hands and lifting them up to his neck. "Thank you. I was wondering if maybe you'd wanna join the rest of us for a picnic on the roof. We can't be spotted, but it'll get us some fresh air that we all kinda desperately need."

I gasped and beamed up at him. "That sounds great!"

He smiled and I saw fondness glowing in his eyes. He loved it when I was happy. I chuckled and took his hand. "You just love making me happy. That's all you want isn't it?"

He shrugged and a smirk played on his lips. "Well of course. Some men date for sex. Some date for the feeling of being admired by a woman. I date to make a girl happy. I love it and I don't know why. Now let's go for lunch."

He led me down the hallway and up some stairs towards a large wooden hatch. He pushed it open and sunlight shone inwards. I ducked my head to avoid the blaring sunlight, but as I lifted my head and covered up the sun with a hand, the roof of the castle appeared in front of me. I gasped and turned around to look at the clouds and the other side of the roof. The guys were sitting on a large circle of quilts lain out on the stones. They gave us a collection of smiles and Slice waved us over, calling very quietly. "Took you guys long enough! Now come on. Foods ready."

I noticed how he very lowly spoke instead of using his normal tone of voice. Cutter walked us over, but as we sat, he whispered in my ear. "Keep your voice down because we don't know who can hear us."

I nodded and then I was passed a plate. We very quietly exchanged conversations while eating, but then Tracker uttered something funny under his breath that Rage heard. Rage let out a quick burst of laughter which was cut short as Tracker and Runner slapped their hands over his mouth. He looked completely panicked as did the rest of them. Cutter, Slice, Dagger, and Tracker each ran to different edges of the roof and leaned near them, listening for anyone who might've heard us. I stayed completely still and watched as they drew back into the center.

Cutter let out a breath and nodded. "Okay. I think we're still okay."

Runner finally released Rage's face and Rage sulked over. He whispered quietly. "Sorry. I forgot we were in danger."

Cutter nodded. "Its okay. I've had to stop a couple laughs myself. We just need to keep our eyes peeled and our mouths shut. Now lunch is over let's go inside."

We reluctantly left the warming sun behind for the dusty upper level of the castle. I sighed and walked ahead of Cutter and when I turned down the hallway, I heard someone talking. I paused and looked up to see two men with their backs to me down the hallway. They were talking quietly between themselves as they turned a corner. Cutter and the guys went past me into a parlor to the side and before they could ask me anything, I decided to run after the men.

I quietly approached the corner, leaning towards it to hear anything. I slipped around to get a look, but I probably should've waited. The men had stopped only a few feet down the hallway and one of them spotted me.

"Huh? Who are you?"

I didn't know what to say. I didn't know if these are men I could be truthful with. I shook my head and backed up. "I'm sorry. I wasn't following you. I'll go back."

I turned to walk away when one of them grabbed my arm and yanked me towards him. "Don't worry little lady. With a body like yours, you won't have to worry about us being angry with you."

I struggled in his grip, but then the other one grabbed me by my jaw and turned me to look at him. "And maybe she can shed some light on all the male voices we've been hearing lately."